The App State women's basketball team is gearing up for an exciting showdown, but will they soar or stumble? Mountaineers' Saturday Showdown: Can They Climb Over Georgia Southern?
The team is traveling to Statesboro, Georgia, for a highly anticipated match against Georgia Southern on Saturday, aiming to bounce back from their recent Sun Belt opener loss. With a 6-4 record (0-1 SBC), the Mountaineers are determined to make a statement. But here's where it gets intriguing: despite a valiant effort against Marshall, they couldn't secure the win, even with 12 ties and nine lead changes.
Senior Emma Smith shone with 19 points, her fifth double-digit scoring performance this season. Along with Daisia Mitchell and Jayden McBride, they contributed 42 of App State's 62 points, showcasing their offensive prowess. The trio also sank six of the team's seven 3-pointers, demonstrating their long-range accuracy.
App State's performance from the free-throw line and beyond the arc was impressive, shooting at 81% and 41%, respectively. They also displayed strong defense, limiting Marshall to just five offensive rebounds and seven bench points.
Smith and Mitchell are the team's leading scorers, with averages of 10.8 and 10.6 points per game. Mitchell has been on fire, scoring double-digits in seven games, including a career-high 21 points against Norfolk State. Smith, a versatile player, leads the team in assists (4.4 apg) and rebounds (5.3 rpg), ranking high in the league for assists and assist/turnover ratio.
App State's stats are impressive, ranking among the SBC's top five and the nation's top 35 in rebound margin and 3-point percentage. They also stand tall in field goal percentage, scoring defense, and steals per game.
But the real test lies ahead. In their last encounter with Georgia Southern on February 26, 2025, the Mountaineers suffered a heartbreaking 57-55 loss. Zada Porter and Emily Hege combined for 33 points, but it wasn't enough. And this is the part most people miss: the Mountaineers held Georgia Southern to just two 3-pointers in the second period, showcasing their defensive potential.
Earlier in the 2024-25 season, the Mountaineers claimed a 60-56 victory over the Eagles in Boone. Four players scored in double figures, led by Hege's 14 points. Porter and McBride also contributed significantly.
Georgia Southern, currently 8-3, is on a seven-game winning streak, with notable wins over Mercer, Charleston Southern, and more. Their only losses are against formidable opponents. The Eagles boast a talented trio of scorers, including fifth-year senior McKenna Eddings and graduate students Destiny Garrett and Shanti Simmons, who average 14.0, 13.7, and 13.0 points per game, respectively. Garrett and Simmons are particularly impressive, ranking high in assists, steals, and free throws.
Georgia Southern's team statistics are equally impressive, ranking 39th nationally in field goal percentage and leading the Sun Belt in assist/turnover ratio. But will this be enough to stop the Mountaineers?
Looking ahead, App State will host Carolina University on December 29, offering a special promotion for young fans. And the big question remains: can the Mountaineers conquer Georgia Southern and reclaim their winning streak? Share your predictions in the comments below! Will the Mountaineers' defense prevail, or will Georgia Southern's scoring trio dominate? Let the debate begin!
